Immunity to rubella in premarital women five years after the nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Birjand

In 2003، a vaccination campaign was conducted to immunize the individuals aged 5 -25 years old against rubella infection. The present study aimed at investigating the extent of immunity to rubella in premarital women five years after the campaign. This descriptive study was conducted on 298 premarital women who had been vaccinated during the national rubella vaccination campaign (2003).، The anti rubella antibody (IgG) titer of the women referred to provincial health office in Birjand was evaluated through simple randomized sampling، using ELISA method. The antibody titer above 10 IU/ml was accounted protective. Mean age of the participants was 21. 7 ±4 years ranging from 14 to 30 years. Most of them (68. 7%) were living in urban areas. The majority of them (51. 2%) were school fellows or university students Only one participant''s antibody titer against rubella virus was less than 10 IU/ml. According to this study، mean antibody titer was 99. 77±58. 8 ranging from 5. 2 to 333. 5. Regarding the immunity of 99. 7% of the subjects، the risk of «congenital rubella syndrome» in our society seems to be low. However، low titers of antibodies in a small percent of the cases prompts the worry that there will likely be a reduction in immunity in the following years. Thus، it is recommended that the present study should be repeated in the following 3 or 4 years.